Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
22 December 2011
In a recent sermon I used the phrase “the lights are on, but nobody’s home” to refer to the problem of whether someone is going-through-the-motions of religion but lacking in faith. Happily, when we look at Grace we can point to many examples of people of real faith, and thank our Lord that we are called together into one Body. But, this reminds us that if we are to rely on the promise of our Lord’s presence when we gather in His Name (Mtt. 18.20)–His promise that God will be with us and will answer our prayers–our gathering must involve the act of will by which we each invite God into our lives. We cannot claim to gather in Jesus’ Name unless we submit our wills to His, and unless in invoking His Name we expect an encounter with the risen Lord.
Periodically in the life of the Church, people get interested in the “historical Jesus”; they focus on what Jesus did and said, and who He was. In its current iteration this focus is “The Jesus Project,” in which scholars opine and vote on whether a given teaching of Jesus is or is not “authentic”. For a church body to focus on this historical quest is a prime example of lights-on- with-nobody-home. It is, in fact, a little closer to what would be referred to in a prison context as “dead man, walking”. If all we are interested in is what a particular Palestinian Jew did and said in the first century, we have no relationship with the living, risen Lord who now reigns, and who is present to us now. When we have a relationship with the living Lord; when we gather in His Name and know that this is more than any formula of words, then the lights are one because the source of all life is home; the Body “walks” because the Spirit animates it.
In this season, when we commemorate that our Lord became one of us in order that we might be restored to the holiness to which we are called, let us gather expecting that worship is encounter. God is here with us when we open our hearts and minds and souls to His indwelling. We may truly sing, “Joy to the world!”
Greetings Everyone,
As a recovering stroke patient, I would like to thank you all dearly for all your prayers, visits, gifts and Cookies! In this time of joy and togetherness as you make out your Christmas lists, remember to add the name of a special person that may be sick, confused, or facing hardship.
Have a warm and fuzzy Holiday!
Thanks again,
Shirley Kade
Bible Study: Bible study is now offered twice a week, on Tuesdays in the evening and on Thursdays in the mornings. The material covered each week will be the same for each session, and will focus on the lessons for the coming Sunday. Tuesday evening sessions will begin with a light pot-luck supper at 6 p.m., with instruction and discussion scheduled to last from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. Thursday morning sessions will continue to be offered at 9:30, following the morning Mass.
Thanksgivings: Thanksgivings are offered this week to the crew which has decorated the parish for Christmas, including Bernie Markevitch, Hans Graf, Fred and Gail Tyszka and Jon Whitford. We are also thankful for the extra work and help offered in this by our Sexton, Bill May.
Champagne fund-raiser: At the reception following the vigil for the Feast of the Epiphany (5 January, see below) we plan to offer champagne with other refreshments. But, we don’t plan to pay for this out of parish funds. We want to keep parish funds focused on mission. The parish youth group has a target of $3,400 to fund the construction of a drinking water well in a village in Rwanda, and has raised $1,959 so far. For each bottle of champagne that any parishioner wishes to donate for the reception, the parish will donate $20 to the water well project, and a member of clergy will provide a $10/bottle match. Donations will be capped at ten bottles, to a total of $300.
Music this week: Along with the usual seasonal favorites, including familiar Christmas carols and Harold Darke’s beloved setting of Christina Rossetti’s “In the bleak midwinter,” we will have a soprano and bass duet from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio during the 10:30pm prelude Christmas Eve, with Sandie Palmer and Ben Dobey as soloists, with Delpha McAloon at the organ. Lindsay Fischer, cellist, will play the prelude at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.
Announcements:
Eve of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
Saturday, December 24, 2011
8:45 a.m. Morning Prayer
4:00 p.m. Children’s Christ’s Mass
10:30 p.m. Prelude of Christmas Music
11:00 p.m. Solemn Christ’s Mass
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
December 25, 2011
9:00 a.m. Mass with Carols
St. Steven Deacon and Martyr
December 26, 2011
Office Closed
6:00 p.m. Mass
St. John Apostle and Evangelist
December 27, 2011
Office Closed
9:00 a.m. Mass with the Sacrament of Baptism
Holy Innocents
December 28, 2011
8:45 a.m. Morning Prayer
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer and Shrine Prayers
6:00 p.m. Mass
Parish Notices
· Change in Tuesday Worship Schedule: Tuesday December 27th is the feast of St. John Apostle and Evangelist. The schedule has changes from a 6:00pm Mass to a 9:00am Mass because we are going to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism that morning with Danie and Kent Wilson’s grandson Emerson Sitzman. Please come and celebrate this wonderful occasion with the parish family.
· Children’s Choir: Youth and Children’s choir rehearsals for the Christmas Eve service are at 5:30-6:00pm downstairs in the choir room. Practices will continue on December 22nd this will be just before the Pageant rehearsal. The choir is open to 2nd graders and up, and will sing for the 4pm service on Christmas Eve. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.
· Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: will continue on Thursday, December 22nd of December starting at 6:00p.m. The rehearsals will begin in the church and then go downstairs for costumes. Participation is open to youth of all ages. The Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Mass. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If your child would like to participate but cannot make rehearsals please note that on the sheet or call Annette Fabiano at 451-7098.
· Christmas Joy: is scheduled to meet today Thursday, December 22 at 11:00am in the church kitchen. At that time we will assemble floral arrangements and bag cookies. We need helping hands and donations (to buy flowers.) Can you bake, make a delivery or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling ministry to our shut-ins. They will appreciate it. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to indicate who you would like to deliver to that day. If you have questions please call Barb MacEwen at 467-6909.
· 2011 Pledge Statements: To have any donations (pledge or otherwise) recorded in 2011 and appear on your tax statement, please have them in the office by December 29, 2011. Thank you for your generosity.
· The Feast of the Epiphany: We will celebrate the Feast of Epiphany Thursday, January 5th. Parishioners and their guests are invited to Solemn Mass beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by a gala reception. Please sign up in the narthex or by calling the church office at 452-9659.
· Flower Schedule for 2012: Giving the gift of flowers is a wonderful way to remember a loved one or to offer thanksgiving for your blessings. If you wish to sign up for a specific Sunday, the Flower Schedule is available on the table in the narthex. More than one person can sign up for each Sunday.
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